Job interview. EEEEK!

[Nomsdeplume]

I have been looking for a new job lately, and getting really tense because I was getting nowhere. I have been snapping at everyone and being a royal b*tch most of the time, and I really hate that person.
Soooo I had a job interview yesterday, and now I'm one of the final two. I really like the firm, and it's exactly what I want to do. I will be going for a second interview soon before they make the final decision.
I really need to nail the interview. The first one was gruelling, I honestly felt like I was under attack. Any tips on how to handle the second interview would be appreciated.

 

[dragonfly411]

kribbie - is there someone who could do a test interview with you? I'd say take some time to mentally prepare, think of how you'd answer questions, think of any other questions you have for them. Maybe have a calming night the night before, so you aren't nervous.

::crosses fingers for Kribbie::

 

[Nomsdeplume]

Hi, thanks for the reply!
I did a test interview with friends for the first interview, and I thought I was prepared, but honestly it was brutal. I expected the usual questions like "what are your strengths and weaknesses" or "what have you accomplished that you are proud of" or being asked to solve a problem, but I didn't get any of that. I felt like my character and my ability to do the job was being attacked. It couldn't have been as bad as I thought since I'm getting another chance, but now I'm just terrified.

 

[iheartscience]

Hi, thanks for the reply!
I did a test interview with friends for the first interview, and I thought I was prepared, but honestly it was brutal. I expected the usual questions like "what are your strengths and weaknesses" or "what have you accomplished that you are proud of" or being asked to solve a problem, but I didn't get any of that. I felt like my character and my ability to do the job was being attacked. It couldn't have been as bad as I thought since I'm getting another chance, but now I'm just terrified.

Do you really want to work at a place that attacks your character and ability to do the job in a job interview? I'm not trying to be snarky, I'm honestly asking. Is that typical for your field?

I don't know-personally, I'd be pretty uninterested in a job after an interview like that.

 

[zoebartlett]

What an odd thing to happen. It doesn't sound like a great interview process. I'm glad you got a 2nd interview, but as Thing2 said, is this a company you'd be happy working for? Why on earth would its managers treat someone like that when they should be selling themselves to the interviewee? Remember, you're interviewing them just as much as they're interviewing you.

 

[elrohwen]

I'm with Thing and Zoe on this one - I honestly wouldn't be interested in working for a company like that. A "good" interview, one where you have a good chance of getting the job and where they are really interested in hiring you, shouldn't be a grueling ordeal. The manager(s) should sell himself (or herself) to you as much as you are asked to sell yourself to them.

Maybe this type of thing is common in your field, but I guess it may not be if you were completely unprepared for that style of interview. I would see what the next interview is like, but if they don't done it down I would seriously question their corporate culture.